Travel Companies Rush to Offer National Park Trips

October 9, 2009 by Justin Leighty
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Travel companies are hurrying to take advantage of the renewed interest in national parks generated by Ken Burn’s PBS series, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” according to examiner.com.

Expedia
The launch of Expedia’s new national parks website coincided with the airing of Burns’ documentary.

The site includes downloadable park maps, ideas on what to do and where to stay and a series of stories called “Can’t-Miss National Parks.”The first five parks featured in the “Can’t-Miss” series are the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier, Olympic and Yosemite.

Remember, though, that to reserve campsites or book stays inside the parks, one needs to go to the national parks website, search for the park you’re interested in, then click “Plan Your Visit” or “Fees & Reservations.” Campgrounds and park tours can be booked at www.recreation.gov.

Exploritas (formerly Elderhostel)
Exploritas created a site dedicated to their national parks programs, which, they say, “show you the National Parks as you just can’t see them on your own, with field trips led by specialized experts, the kind of people who can show you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.”

Exploritas has programs in parks as diverse as Banff (in Canada), Big Bend (Texas), the Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree.

Fodor’s
Fodor’s has a national parks page that touts “25 national parks experiences not to miss” like ‘watching flowing lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island’ and ‘canoeing in Everglades National Park.’